Do Chihuahuas have a good temperament? As a potential owner, you want to know if these tiny dogs are a good fit for your family. Chihuahuas are a breed of dog that originated in Mexico and are known for their small size and big personality.
Chihuahuas are loyal and loving companions, but their temperament can be a bit tricky to handle. They are known for being fiercely protective of their owners and can be aggressive towards strangers. However, with proper training and socialization, Chihuahuas can make great pets. According to PetMD, Chihuahuas are loyal, playful, and energetic dogs who often think they are larger than they actually are.
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Chihuahua Temperament
As a Chihuahua owner, you may have heard mixed reviews about their temperament. While some people adore their charming and affectionate personality, others find them to be aggressive and prone to barking. Here’s what you need to know about their temperament.
Socialization
Proper socialization is crucial for Chihuahuas. They are naturally alert and sociable dogs, but without early socialization, they may become fearful or aggressive towards strangers and other dogs. Socialization should start at a young age and involve exposure to different people, animals, and environments.
Training
Chihuahuas are intelligent and eager to please, but they can also be stubborn. Consistent and positive training is essential to prevent behavioral issues such as separation anxiety and aggression. Training should focus on basic obedience commands, leash training, and crate training.
Barking
Chihuahuas are known for their tendency to bark excessively. While this behavior can be annoying, it is also a natural part of their alert and protective nature. Proper training and socialization can help reduce excessive barking.
Overall, Chihuahuas can make wonderful companions with the right care and training. However, it’s important to remember that each dog is unique and may have their own personality quirks.
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Chihuahua Personality
Chihuahuas are known for their big personalities despite their small size. They are lively and energetic dogs that make great companions. Here are some of the personality traits that make Chihuahuas unique.
Loving
Chihuahuas are affectionate dogs that love to cuddle with their owners. They are loyal and protective of their family members, making them great watchdogs. They thrive on attention and love to be petted and held.
Bold
Despite their small size, Chihuahuas have a big-dog attitude. They are confident and self-assured, which can sometimes come across as stubbornness. They are not afraid to stand up to larger dogs or strangers, making them excellent guard dogs.
Active
Chihuahuas are energetic dogs that love to play and run around. They need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. They enjoy going for walks and playing games like fetch. However, they can also get enough exercise by running around inside the house.
Lap Dogs
Chihuahuas are known for their love of snuggling on laps. They are lap dogs that enjoy being close to their owners. They are happiest when they are with their family members and will follow them around the house.
Chihuahuas are unique dogs with big personalities. They are loving, bold, active, and lap dogs. They make great companions for people who are looking for a small, lively dog.
Chihuahua Breeds
When it comes to Chihuahuas, there are two distinct breeds: the Apple Head and the Deer Head.
Apple Head
The Apple Head Chihuahua is the more common of the two breeds. As the name suggests, they have a round head that looks like an apple, with a shorter snout and a more compact body. They are also known for their large, expressive eyes and their perky ears.
Deer Head
The Deer Head Chihuahua has a longer snout and a more slender body than the Apple Head. They also have a more elongated head shape, which gives them a deer-like appearance. Their ears are typically larger and more floppy than those of the Apple Head.
Both breeds come in a variety of colors, including black, white, fawn, and chocolate.
Overall, Chihuahuas are known for their lively and energetic personalities. They are loyal and affectionate with their owners, but can be wary of strangers. They are also known for their tendency to bark, which can make them good watchdogs.
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FAQ
Are Chihuahuas usually aggressive?
Not only are Chihuahuas aggressive, but among the 35 most popular breeds of dogs, they are actually the MOST aggressive. Even more so than Rottweilers, as it turns out. This is something that you can tone down, but you’ll need to be patient and consistent with the training.
Teach your dog the ‘sit command, and when your Chihuahua looks like they are going to be aggressive to another dog or person then tell them to sit, followed by praising them and giving them a treat. It takes a lot of time, but your dog will learn this, and you’ll be able to halt aggression in it’s tracks.
Why Chihuahuas are bad dogs?
A lot of people don’t like Chihuahuas, simply because they’ve been snubbed by one. Chihuahuas tend to attach themselves to one person and everyone else is tolerated at best, occasionally barked or even nipped at worst.
No one likes being snubbed and so the Chihuahua has been stuck with a reputation of being annoying, when they’re really just being incredibly selective and loyal.
Is a Chihuahua a good family pet?
Chihuahuas may not be a good fit for small children, who like to scoop up these little dogs and may well get nipped in the process.
Chihuahuas are very particular about being lifted, so if you want one and you have small kids then you will need to supervise any time with the dog and educate your children on how to handle it. If you can do this, then these little dogs make great family pets – they just need a certain amount of respect.
Do Chihuahuas like to be cuddled?
Chihuahuas love a good cuddle, as long as it happens to be your Chihuahua. These dogs are quite selective about who they will cuddle with, but if the dog loves you then expect to find them suddenly sitting close or even in your lap. These little dogs absolutely love the warmth and attention.
Why do Chihuahuas bite their owners?
Chihuahuas are extremely territorial and they are also particular about being handled. While it’s uncommon, some Chihuahuas will bite their owners if they try to touch their food or a favorite toy. If this happens, pull back your hand and whimper or say ‘ouch’ so that your dog knows that they have hurt you.
Your dog loves you and often doesn’t know that they’ve done more than simply ‘chastise’ you, and if you make it clear that the bites are hurting you then they will often occur less (with apology licks following any incidents) or they might even stop altogether. Your dog just has strong territorial instincts, so you’ll need to be patient.
Do Chihuahuas bark a lot?
Chihuahuas are very, very vocal, and you’ll know right away if anyone even steps into your front lawn or driveway. You can discourage this by filling a metal can halfway-full of pennies and when your dog barks, shake this can and say ‘quiet!’.
Be patient with the process and always give your dog praise and a treat when they quiet down with this technique. If you practice this with them every day, your dog will learn the command and you’ll have a little more control over your dog’s barking.
Are Chihuahuas loyal?
Chihuahuas are loyal almost to a fault. Even wrestling with a friend for fun can make your little dog think that you are in danger, and the odds are that your friend is going to be bitten! One of the best things about this breed is that once a Chihuahua gives you their love and loyalty, it’s pretty much set in stone.
That said, you’ll have to keep watch over your dog to make sure that they don’t put themselves into danger by attacking larger dogs or people over a mistaken intent. These dogs will do anything for you and they’re reckless about it, so understand this and make sure that it doesn’t get them into trouble.
Are boy or girl Chihuahuas better?
Female Chihuahuas are much more serious and suspicious of strangers than males. This can make them a little harder to socialize than the more playful males, but it also makes for a dog that gets into less trouble.
Males, while playful, can be more territorial and aggressive and are less gentle than the more thoughtful females. Ultimately, each dog will have their own individual personality, so it’s best to simply take a pup you are considering aside from the litter to see how they behave on their own.
My name is Danny Jackson and I’m the CEO and Chief Editor behind Petloverguy.com. After spending a decade working with vets and private clients as an animal behavioral and nutritional specialist I co-founded Pet Lover Guy to help other pet parents learn how to interact with, and make the most of the time that they spend with their adopted and rescued best pet friends.
Working with Ella, our chihuahua rescue, we seek to help all dog and cat lovers have the happiest life possible.
